South African Army Chief Visits Nigeria’s National Defence College to Bolster Strategic Ties
In a significant move to strengthen continental defence cooperation, the Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, on Monday 9 March 2026, conducted a strategic working visit to the National Defence College (NDC) Nigeria. The visit underscores a growing commitment between South Africa and Nigeria to enhance professional military education (PME) and develop unified responses to Africa’s evolving security landscape.
Upon his arrival, Lieutenant General Mbatha was received by the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, who was represented by Rear Admiral Mohammed Yakubu Dahiru, who is the Director Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (PIMED) at the Naval Headquarters.
The South African delegation was greeted by senior faculty members and officers, signalling the high diplomatic and military stakes of the engagement.
During the exchange, Lieutenant General Mbatha highlighted several critical pillars for African stability which includes:
- Strategic Leadership: He commended the NDC for its role in grooming leaders capable of navigating “contemporary security challenges.”
- Deepened Collaboration: The Chief emphasized that the complexity of modern warfare and insurgency requires African nations to move beyond isolated efforts toward joint approaches to peace and security.
- Professional Excellence: Mbatha stressed that high-level military education is no longer a luxury but a necessity for preparing senior officers for the weight of strategic decision-making.
“Institutions such as the National Defence College remain vital platforms for fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing among African nations,” Lieutenant General Mbatha stated during the briefing.
Responding on behalf of the Commandant, Rear Admiral Dahiru described the visit as a testament to the “strong and cordial” relationship between the two economic and military powerhouses.
As part of the diplomatic exchange, the South African delegation was conducted on a comprehensive tour of the NDC’s infrastructure. This included:
- The Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS): The hub for policy analysis.
- The College Library & Museum: Showcasing the historical depth and academic resources available to fellows.
- Academic Facilities: Reviewing the environments where strategic-level education is delivered.
The visit concluded with the traditional signing of the visitors’ register and an exchange of souvenirs, marking a successful chapter in the defence partnership between the two nations.
